New white paper takes softer China stance

AUSTRALIA'S neighbourly approach to China in its 2013 Defence White Paper is a welcome change to the hostile language seen in the same document four years ago, says a sector expert.

The latest paper, released on Friday, adopts a suitably diplomatic line, says leading strategic analyst Paul Dibb, emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Australian National University.

"The strategic side of the White Paper is very good, very balanced. It doesn't insult China and it recognises the importance of Indonesia and India in our wider region," Professor Dibb told AAP.

"This White Paper says very clearly: Australia does not see China as an adversary.

"There's nothing wrong with hedging our bets and securing ourselves with a range of armaments, but there's no reason or cause to think that we are under imminent threat in our region."

The paper goes to lengths to reinforce the significance of relations between and Australia and superpowers China and the United States.

"The government does not approach China as an adversary. Rather, its policy is aimed at encouraging China's peaceful rise and ensuring that strategic competition in the region does not lead to conflict," the paper says.

The stance is a change from the 2009 defence white paper which warned "the pace, scope and structure of China's military modernisation have the potential to give its neighbours cause for concern".

Asked about the change in tone, Prime Minister Julia Gillard agreed there had been an update.

"This is an evolutionary document from the last white paper. There has been a fundamental continuity in our policy towards China," she said, adding that Australia would continue to call for transparency on China's military expansion.

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